187,687 online Beatles files were found in the study. Second in the ranking was Fleetwood Mac, with 72,984 uploaded files, while Bob Marley was represented by 60,024 files, and Led Zeppelin by 59,011 files.

The list was culled from websites that respect takedown notices, so not all will be included.

The Beatles were late to the download party and only, we say only, appeared on iTunes in 2010. It seems like just yesterday.

"We love the Beatles and are honored and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes," said Jobs, who was then Apple's CEO. "It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we've had since we launched iTunes ten years ago," Jobs added.

"I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes," added drummer Ringo Starr at the time. "At last, if you want it - you can get it now - The Beatles from Liverpool to now! Peace and Love, Ringo."

Muso reckons that each file probably will have been downloaded 1,000 times. It estimates that this puts the Beatles' traffic at 190 million downloads a year. µ